Graphic Design: Faculty

Iowa State University (Graphic Design; Minor - English); University of Arizona (Visual Communication). Recipient of several merit and silver awards from the Art Director's Association of Iowa. Works published in Graphis Letterhead 4 and HOW Magazine. American Platinum award winner. AGFA International Young Creatives, 2000.

Kimberly Elam, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Parsons School of Design (Graphic Design); Cranbrook Academy of Art (Graphic Design). Writer, educator, and graphic designer. Author of Expressive Typography: The Word as Image (Van Nostrand Reinhold) and Geometry of Design: Studies in Proportion and Composition (Princeton Architectural Press), Grid Systems: Principles of Organizing Type (Princeton Architectural Press), Typographic Systems, Rules for Organizing Type (Princeton Architectural Press), and Graphic Translation, A Graphic Design Project Guide (BookSurge). Awards: Poynter Institute Fellowship, The Ohio State University Distinguished Teaching Award, Ohio Arts Council Graphic Design Fellowship. She has lectured internationally and her current work focuses on the development of a web site for design educators. studioresourceinc.com

Western Michigan University (Graphic Design); Virginia Commonwealth University (Visual Communication). Recent articles: "Design Education in Progress: Process and Methodology, From Stasis to Motion"; "Zed 5: Implications of the Object, Big rigs and mudflapgirls"; "Zed 7: Public and Private, Just in case we have to do some cooking." Work published: "Experimental Typography, Innovations in Digital Graphics."

Joani Spadaro, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Academy of Art University, San Francisco (Graphic Design; Minor - Printmaking); Cranbrook Academy of Art (Graphic Design; Minor - Printmaking). Joani continued her studies at Duke University, where she studied literature, writing and critical theory in the Master’s of Liberal Studies degree program. Professional experience: Herron School of Art, Indiana University; College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC; Ohio University School of Art, Athens, OH. Joani developed and directed the Program in Graphic Design at USF, St. Petersburg, FL, and chaired the graphic design programs at the College of Design at NCSU and Ohio University. She was also the education chair of AIGA Raleigh and the inaugural president of AIGA Tampa Bay, where she remains on the advisory board. Joani’s design work has been honored in a number of shows and publications including the 100 Show, the AIGA Annual, ID Magazine and Émigré Magazine. Her areas of interest include typography, language, literature and feminist studies. She explores the intersection of these areas in mixed–media paintings and drawings and has exhibited her work in both solo and group shows. She is one–half of the design firm doubledagger.net.

Edwin Utermohlen, B.F.A., M.F.A. Department Coordinator

East Carolina University (Painting; Minor - Woodworking); California Institute of the Arts (Graphic Design). Work has been recognized by the American Center for Design, HOWMagazine, Adobe Systems, the Society of Publication Designers, and the Art Director's Club of Indiana. Exhibitions: "Mixing Messages: Graphic Design in Contemporary Culture"; "Designer as Author: Voices and Visions." Publications: Typographics 1: from Digital to Dyeline and Typographics 2: CyberType; Speak; Aldus; Print.

Virginia Commonwealth University (Visual Communications). Recent clients: Sarasota Ballet of Florida, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Recipient of numerous ADDY® awards and grants. Invited speaker at University and College Designers Association (UCDA) and CASE national conferences.

Adjunct Faculty

Sean Harris, B.F.A.

Ringling College of Art and Design. Sean has been the Owner/Designer of Design Spur, LLC, a Sarasota-based graphic design firm since 2004. Clients and collaborations include The State of Florida, Sarasota County Government, Asolo Theatre, Metropolis Magazine, and Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Rob Tarbell, B.F.A., M.F.A., M.S.

Auburn University (Painting and Graphic Design); University of Tennessee (Painting and Drawing); University of Tennessee (Curriculum and Instruction). Over the past ten years, Rob Tarbell has shown in twenty solo exhibitions and more than seventy-five group exhibitions throughout the United States, Korea, China, and England.

Rob has been featured in more than 50 articles in publications and blogs, including New American Paintings, the Huffington Post UK, Daily Mail UK, and Studio Visit (volumes 1, 4, 6 and 8). Lark Books featured a Smoke and a Struggle in the books: Skulls in 2008, 500 Ceramic Sculptures in 2009, and Ceramic Sculptures in 2011. Rob’s smoke work is represented by Krause Gallery (New York), Decorazon Gallery (London), and Les Yeux du Monde (Charlottesville, VA). His work can also be seen at Dolby Chadwick Gallery (San Francisco) and Allyn Gallup Contemporary (Sarasota).